HALF-BRIDGE DRIVER CIRCUIT, RELATED INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND SYSTEM

Abstract

 A half-bridge driver circuit (22a) is described. The half-bridge driver circuit (22a) comprising high side and low side driver circuits for driving the switches of a half-bridge as a function of Pulse-Width-Modulated high side and low side control signals (IN), respectively. The half-bridge driver circuit (22a) comprises also two measurement terminals configured to be connected to the terminals of a shunt resistor and an amplifier configured to amplify the signal applied to the two measurement terminals thereby generating a measurement signal indicative of the current flowing through said shunt resistor.
Specifically, the half-bridge driver circuit (22a) comprises moreover a processing circuit configured to selectively acquire (CMON1) a digital sample of the measurement signal via an analog-to-digital converter in response to a trigger signal (T1). The trigger signal (T1) is generated by a synchronization circuit (220) by:
- determining via a first counter (224) a first value (C1) indicative of the switch-on duration (T_ON) of the high side control signal (IN) and determining (228) a second value (CPWM) indicative of the switching period (T_PWM) of the high side control signal (IN);
- computing (228) a third value (C3) indicative of the first count value (CNT1) when a next switching period of the high side control signal (IN) starts as a function of the first value (C1) and the second value (CPWM) ;
- comparing the third value (C3) with the count value (CNT1) of said first digital counter (224), thereby generating a third signal (ST) when the next switching period of said high side control signal (IN₁) starts;
- starting a second digital counter (232) in response to the third signal (ST);
- comparing the count value (CNT2) of the second digital counter (232) with a reference value (REF), thereby generating a fourth signal (T); and
- generating the trigger signal (T1) as a function of said fourth signal (T).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to half-bridge driver circuits.

Background

[0002] In automotive applications the use of Direct Current (DC) or Brushless DC (BLDC) motors for fan, pump or actuator applications is very common with the trend of replacing the traditional DC with BLDC motors. In most automotive applications, detection of fault conditions of the BLDC motor and the control electronics is mandatory. For this reason, the control electronics should be able to identify a possible fault condition and then apply counter measures, e.g., in order to protect the system. Often the detected fault condition is reported to a system controller and may be accessible via the diagnosis interface of the automobile for further service investigations.

[0003] As disclosed, e.g., in document IT102016000009376, a motor is often driven by means of one or more half-bridges as a function of one or more respective Pulse-Width Modulated (PWM) signals.

[0004] For example, Figure 1 shows a typical half-bridge arrangement 20 comprising two electronic switches SW₁ and SW₂, such as n-channel power Field-Effect Transistor (FET), such as Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFET), connected in series between a supply voltage Vdd and a ground GND.

[0005] Usually, the switches SW₁ and SW₂ are closed alternatively in order to connect the output OUT of the half-bridge arrangement 20, i.e. the intermediate point between the switches SW₁ and SW₂, either to the voltage Vdd or to ground GND. For this purpose, the half-bridge is driven as a function of two drive signals DRV₁ and DRV₂, which are connected (e.g. directly) to the control gates of the switches SW₁ and SW₂, respectively. Specifically, in order to correctly drive the control gates, often a high-side driver 200₁ is used to generate the drive signal DRV₁ for the high-side switch SW₁ as a function of a first control signal IN₁, and a low-side driver 200₂ is used to generate the drive signal DRV₂ for the low-side switch SW₂ as a function of a control signal IN₂. The control signal IN₂ corresponds often to an inverted version of the signal IN₁ (or vice versa), i.e. the signal IN₂ is low when the signal IN₁ is high and vice versa. For example, in Figure 1 is used an inverter 202 which receives at input the signal IN₁ and provides at output the signal IN₂.

[0006] The output OUT of the half-bridge arrangement 20 may be used to drive a load. For example, in Figure 1, the half-bridge arrangement 20 drives a motor M₁ connected between the output OUT of the half-bridge arrangement 20 and ground GND.

[0007] Conversely, Figure 2 shows an example in which two half-bridge arrangements 20_a and 20_b are used to drive a linear motor M₂, such as a voice coil motor, connected between the output OUT_a of the first bridge arrangement 20_a and the output OUT_b of the second bridge arrangement 20_b. As well known to those of skill in the art, in this case, also the rotation direction of the motor M₂ may be controlled by applying appropriate control signals IN_a and IN_b to the half-bridge arrangements 20_a and 20_b.

[0008] Finally, Figure 3 shows an example in which three half-bridge arrangements 20_a, 20_b and 20_c are used to drive a three-phase motor M₃, such as a spindle motor, connected between the outputs OUT_a, OUT_b and OUT_c of three half-bridge arrangements 20_a, 20_b and 20_c.

[0009] As mentioned before, the control signals may be PWM signals, i.e. signals with a fixed frequency and a variably duty cycle. For example, document IT102015000046790 discloses a solution for generating two PWM signals which may be used, e.g., for generating the signals IN_a and IN_b in the solution shown in Figure 2.

[0010] Figure 4 shows in this respect a typical PWM signal PWM, such as the signal IN₁, corresponding to a pulsed signal comprising a single pulse P for each switching cycle with duration or period T_PWM, wherein the switch-on duration T_ON of the pulse P may be variable as a function of a control signal.

[0011] Generally, the pulse P is not necessarily at the beginning of each switching cycle, but each switching cycle may comprise an initial switch-off period T_OFF1 before the pulse P and a final switch-off period T_OFF2 after the pulse P, with:

with the switch-off duration T_OFF being:

wherein the duty cycle D of each switching cycle is given by:

[0012] For example, in most high-end automotive applications (e.g., Electric Power Steering, Electric Turbo Charge, etc.), a Smart Power Device (SPD) is used to generate the drive signals for the high side and low side switches SW₁/SW₂ in order to drive such a three-phase BLDC motor. A typical SPD device is the integrated circuit (IC) STMicroelectronics L9907, as described e.g. in "L9907 - Automotive FET driver for 3 phase BLDC motor - Datasheet - production data", March 2017, DocID029666 Rev 1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0013] Figure 5 schematically shows the structure of such an IC 22. Specifically, this IC 22 is able to receive at input six control signals IN₁..IN₆ and generate six drive signals DRV₁..DRV₆.

[0014] For example, as shown in Figure 6, the IC 22 may be connected to a signal generator 30, such as a microcontroller, configured to generate the control signals IN₁..IN₆. Accordingly, the IC 22 comprises three high side drivers 200₁, 200₃ and 200₅ configured to generate respective drive signals DRV₁, DRV₃ and DRV₅ for three high side switches SW₁, SW₃ and SW₅ and three low side drivers 200₂, 200₄ and 200₆ configured to generate respective drive signals DRV₂, DRV₄ and DRV₆ for three low side switches SW₂, SW₄ and SW₆.

[0015] As also shown in Figure 5, often such a SPD device 22 comprises also an electronic converter 204 configured to generate the supply voltage Vdd for the half-bridges as a function of a power supply, such as a battery voltage VBAT.

[0016] Moreover, often the IC 22 comprises differential amplifiers 206 arranged to measure the motor phase currents. Specifically, the L9907 IC comprises two differential amplifiers 206₁ and 206₂ arranged to generate two measurement signals CS₁ and CS₂ by measuring the current flowing through two motor phases, e.g. by using respective shunt resistors RS₁ and RS₂ connected in series with a respective motor phase. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, the measurements signals CS₁ and CS₂ may then be provided to the circuit 30 which may calculate the current of the third motor phase via Kirchhoff's law. Specifically, the circuit 30 generates the six PWM signals IN₁..IN₆ for the inputs of the IC 22 and synchronously monitors the two measurement signals CS₁, CS₂ at the output of the IC 22.

Summary

[0017] In view of the above, various embodiments provide solutions for sampling the motor phase currents directly within a half-bridge driver circuit.

[0018] According to one or more embodiments, one or more of the above objectives is achieved by means of a half-bridge driver circuit having the features specifically set forth in the claims that follow. Embodiments moreover concern a related related integrated circuit and system.

[0019] The claims are an integral part of the technical teaching of the disclosure provided herein.

[0020] As mentioned before, various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a half-bridge driver circuit arranged to drive one or more half-bridges.

[0021] In various embodiments, the half-bridge driver circuit comprises at least two input terminals for receiving a high side control signal and a low side control signal. Specifically, the high side control signal is a center aligned pulse-width-modulated signal having a given switching period and a given switch-on duration, and the low side control signal corresponds to an inverted version of the high side control signal with a first delay between a falling edge of the low side control signal and a following rising edge of the high side control signal and with a second delay between a falling edge of the high side control signal and a following rising edge of the low side control signal.

[0022] In various embodiments, the half-bridge driver circuit comprises thus two output terminals for providing a high side drive signal for a high side switch and a low side drive signal for a low side switch. For example, the high side drive signal may be generated by a high side driver circuit as a function of the high side control signal and the low side drive signal may be generated by a low side driver circuit as a function of the low side control signal.

[0023] In various embodiments, the half-bridge driver circuit comprises moreover two measurement terminals configured to be connected to the terminals of a shunt resistor. For example, the shunt resistor may be used to measure the phase current(s) of a motor connected to the half-bridge(s). The two measurement terminals are connected to an (differential) amplifier, thereby generating a measurement signal indicative of the current flowing through the shunt resistor.

[0024] In various embodiments, the half-bridge driver circuit is configured to obtain digital samples of the measurement signal. For this purpose, the half-bridge driver circuit may comprise an analog-to-digital converter and a processing circuit configured to selectively acquire a digital sample of the measurement signal via the analog-to-digital converter in response to a trigger signal.

[0025] In various embodiments, the trigger signal is generated by a synchronization circuit configured to analyze the high side control signal or the low side control signal.

[0026] For example, in various embodiments, the synchronization circuit is configured to determine via a first digital counter a first value indicative of the switch-on duration of the high side control signal by monitoring the rising and falling edges either of the high side control signal or of the low side control signal. For example, for this purpose, the synchronization circuit may comprise an edge detector configured to generate a first signal in response to a rising edge of the high side control signal and a second signal in response to a falling edge of the high side control signal. Accordingly, the first digital counter may be started in response to the first signal and the first value may be determined by sampling the count value of the first digital counter in response to the second signal.

[0027] In various embodiments, the synchronization circuit is configured to determine a second value indicative of the switching period of the high side control signal. For example, the second value may be programmable and provided via a communication interface of the half-bridge driver circuit. Alternatively, as will be described in greater detail in the following, the second value may be determined as a function of a maximum count value provided by the first digital counter.

[0028] In various embodiments, the synchronization circuit is configured to compute then, as a function of the first value and the second value, a third value indicative of the first count value of the first digital counter when a next switching period of the high side control signal starts. Accordingly, by comparing the third value with the first count value of the first digital counter, the synchronization circuit generates a third signal when the next switching period of the high side control signal starts.

[0029] In various embodiments, the synchronization circuit is configured to starting a second digital counter in response to the third signal and compare the count value of the second digital counter with at least one reference value, thereby generating a fourth signal, wherein the fourth signal is used to generate the trigger signal for sampling the measurement signal.

[0030] In various embodiments, the half-bridge driver circuit may be configured to drive three half-bridges, which e.g. may drive a three-phase motor. Accordingly, in this case, the half-bridge driver circuit comprises two further high side driver circuits configured to generate two further high side drive signals as a function of two further high side control signal and two further low side driver circuit configured to generate two further low side drive signals as a function of two further low side control signal. Moreover, e.g. in order to monitor a further phase current of a motor, the half-bridge driver circuit may comprise at least two further measurement terminals configured to be connected to the terminals of at least one further shunt resistor. Accordingly, in this case, the processing circuit may also acquire selectively a further digital sample indicative of the current flowing through the further shunt resistor in response to a further trigger signal. For example, the further trigger signal may be generated by also processing one of the further high side or low side control signals, or by comparing the count value of the second digital counter with a further reference value.

[0031] In various embodiments, the half-bridge driver circuit may provide the digital sample to another external device. For example, in various embodiments, the half-bridge driver circuit comprises a digital-to-analog converter connected to an output terminal of the half-bridge driver circuit, and the processing circuit is configured to provide the digital sample of the measurement signal to the digital-to-analog converter.

Brief description of the figures

[0032] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the annexed drawings, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which:

• Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 show solutions for driving a motor;
• Figures 5 and 6 show an example of a half-bridge driver;
• Figure 7 shows an embodiment of a half-bridge driver comprising a digital processing circuit;
• Figure 8 shows an embodiment of a digital processing circuit of the half-bridge driver of Figure 7, wherein the digital processing circuit comprises a synchronization circuit;
• Figure 9 shows an embodiment of the synchronization circuit of the digital processing circuit of Figure 8; and
• Figures 10a-10g, 11a-11g and 12a-12h show exemplary waveforms of the synchronization circuit of Figure 9.

Detailed Description

[0033] In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments. The embodiments can be practiced without one or several specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

[0034] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0035] The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.

[0036] In the following Figures 7 to 12 parts, elements or components which have already been described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 are denoted by the same references previously used in such Figures; the description of such previously described elements will not be repeated in the following in order not to overburden the present detailed description.

[0037] As mentioned in the foregoing, the present disclosure relates to a half-bridge driver circuit, such as a half-bridge driver IC.

[0038] As described in the foregoing, in the architecture shown in Figures 5 and 6, the signal generation circuit 30, such as a microcontroller, is configured to generate six PWM signals IN₁..IN₆, which are provided at input to a driver IC 22, and monitor the measurement signals CS₁, CS₂. For example, when using a microcontroller 30, such a microcontroller 30 may comprise a microprocessor programmed via software instructions and one or more analog-to-digital (A/D) converters. Accordingly, the microcontroller 30 may convert via the A/D converter the measurement signal(s) CS₁, CS₂ into digital samples which may be processed by the microprocessor via software instructions.

[0039] Specifically, when driving a three-phase motor M₃ as shown in Figure 3, the various outputs OUT_a, OUT_b and OUT_c are sequentially connected to the supply voltage Vdd (and Ground GND), as described e.g. in document "AN1088 - APPLICATION NOTE - L6234 THREE PHASE MOTOR DRIVER", STMicroelectronics, April 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference. In order to correctly drive the motor M₃, usually the amplitude of the motor current is used. However, due to the sequential driving, each phase current will comprise intervals, in which the respective current is positive, zero or negative. Thus, in order to correctly determine signals, each indicative of the amplitude of a respective motor phase current, the microcontroller 30 usually synchronizes the measurement of the measurement signal (s) CS₁, CS₂ with the control signals IN₁..IN₆.

[0040] However, in many applications it would be preferable that such measurement signals are provided directly by the driver IC 22.

[0041] For example, Figure 7 shows an embodiment of a driver circuit 22a configured to receive at input six control signals IN_I..IN₆ and generate respective drive signals DRV₁, DRV₃ and DRV₅ for three high side switches SW₁, SW₃ and SW₅ and respective drive signals DRV₂, DRV₄ and DRV₆ for three low side switches SW₂, SW₄ and SW₆. In the embodiment considered, the basic architecture of the circuit 22a corresponds to the architecture of the circuit 22 shown in Figure 5 and the respective description fully applies. Specifically, also in this case, the driver circuit 22a, such as an integrated circuit, comprises three high side drivers 200₁, 200₃ and 200₅ configured to generate the drive signals DRV₁, DRV₃ and DRV₅ for three high side switches SW₁, SW₃ and SW₅ and three low side drivers 200₂, 200₄ and 200₆ configured to generate the drive signals DRV₂, DRV₄ and DRV₆ for three low side switches SW₂, SW₄ and SW₆. Optionally, the driver circuit 22a may also comprise the electronic converter 204 configured to generate the supply voltage Vdd.

[0042] Accordingly, in the embodiment considered, the driver circuit 22a is arranged to drive N = 3 half-bridges, wherein the driver circuit 22a comprises for each half-bridge a respective high side driver and a respective low side driver. Generally, the driver circuit 22a could also be configured to drive less (e.g. one or two) or more half-bridges. Moreover, the high side and low side switches may also be integrated directly in the integrated circuit comprising the driver circuit 22a.

[0043] Generally, even though being arranged to drive N = 3 half-bridges, the driver circuit 22a may also be used to drive a motor M₁ connected between the output of a half-bridge and ground GND (see Figure 1). For example, for this purpose, only two drive signals (e.g. DRV₁ and DRV₂) of the driver circuit 22a may be used. Similarly, the driver circuit 22a may also be used to drive a motor M₂ connected between the outputs of two half-bridge (see Figure 2). For example, for this purpose, only four drive signals (e.g. DRV₁...DRV₄) of the driver circuit 22a may be used.

[0044] Thus, generally the driver circuit 22a may be configured to drive a single-phase motor via one or two half-bridges, or a multi-phase motor (e.g. a three-phase motor) via a corresponding number of half-bridges.

[0045] In the embodiment considered, the driver circuit 22a comprises moreover at least one differential amplifier 206 configured to be connected to the terminals of a shunt resistor RS connected in series with a phase of a motor M. In various embodiments, when being arranged to drive a single-phase motor also only a single shunt resistor RS is required. Conversely, when being arranged to drive a multi-phase motor (N ≥ 3), the number K of shunt resistors RS may correspond to:

• the number of phases of the motor/number of half-bridges (i.e. K = N); or
• the number of phases of the motor/number of half-bridges minus one (i.e. K = N - 1).

[0046] In the embodiment considered, the driver circuit 22a comprises for each of the K shunt resistors RS two terminals. For example, in the exemplary case of K = 2 shunt resistors, the driver circuit 22a comprises:

• two terminals CS1P and CS1N configured to be connected to the terminals of a first shunt resistor RS₁ connected in series with a first phase of the motor M₃; and
• two terminals CS2P and CS2N configured to be connected to the terminals of a second shunt resistor RS₂ connected in series with a second phase of the motor M₃.

[0047] In various embodiment, the driver circuit 22a may comprise also two terminals CS3P and CS3N (not shown in Figure 7) configured to be connected to the terminals of a third shunt resistor RS₃ connected in series with a third phase of the motor M₃.

[0048] Specifically, in the embodiment considered, each two terminals are provided to a respective differential amplifier 206. For example, in the embodiment considered, the terminals CS1P and CS1N are connected to the input terminals of a first differential amplifier 206₁ and the terminals CS2P and CS2N are connected to the input terminals of a second differential amplifier 206₂. Generally, the driver circuit 22a could also comprise a third differential amplifier 206₃ for the terminals CS3P and CS3N.

[0049] In various embodiments, the gain of the differential amplifiers 206 may be programmable. For example, in various embodiments, the driver circuit 22a may comprise a communication interface 210 connected to one or more interface terminals IF. For example, the communication interface 210 may be serial communication interface, such as Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C), Serial Peripheral Interface bus (SPI), or Universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART).

[0050] In the embodiment considered, each differential amplifier 206 provides thus at output a respective analog measurement signal CS indicative of the current flowing through a respective shunt resistor RS/a respective phase current. As will be described in the following, the number L of differential amplifiers 206 may be less than the number K of shunt resistors, e.g. by connecting a differential amplifier 206 sequentially (via the respective terminals of the driver circuit 22a) to different shunt resistors RS.

[0051] In the embodiment considered, the measurement signal (s) CS at the output of the differential amplifier(s) 206 are provided to a processing circuit 208.

[0052] For example, Figure 8 shows an embodiment of the processing circuit 208.

[0053] In the embodiment considered, only one generic differential amplifier 206 being connected to two terminals CSnP and CSnN is shown. However, as mentioned before the driver circuit 22a may include a differential amplifier 206 for each shunt resistor RS, i.e. L = K.

[0054] In the embodiment considered, the signal(s) CS at the output of the differential amplifier(s) 206 are connected to one or more analog-to-digital converters 212. In various embodiments, the number M of analog-to-digital converters 212 corresponds to the number L of differential amplifiers 206, wherein the input of each analog-to-digital converter 212 is connected to the output a respective differential amplifier 206. As will be described in the following, the number M of analog-to-digital converters 212 may be less than the number L of differential amplifiers 206, e.g. by connecting an analog-to-digital converter 212 sequentially to different differential amplifiers 206.

[0055] In the embodiment considered, the digital signal(s) at the output of the analog-to-digital converters 212 are provided to a digital processing circuit 214.

[0056] Specifically, independently from the number L of differential amplifiers 206 and number M of analog-to-digital converters 212, the processing unit 214 is configured to acquire the digital samples indicative of the K phase currents flowing through the K shunt resistors RS.

[0057] For example, in the embodiment considered relating to a three-phase motor, the digital processing circuit 214 is configured to sample the digital versions of the signal(s) CS and determine signals CS1O, CS2O and CS3O indicative of the amplitude of the three phase currents. Specifically, when using three current sensors RS, the digital processing circuit 214 may determine directly the amplitude of the three phase currents CS1O, CS2O and CS3O as a function of the digital samples of the signals CS₁, CS₂ and CS₃. Conversely, when using two current sensors RS, the digital processing circuit 214 may obtain the samples of the signals CS₁, CS₂ and compute the amplitude of the third phase current CS3O as a function of these samples.

[0058] Generally, the signals CS1O, CS2O and CS3O may be provided at output as digital signals, e.g. via the communication interface 210. Conversely, in the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the processing circuit 208 comprises three digital-to-analog converters 216 (and optionally respective driver circuits 218), in order to generate analog signal CS1O, CS2O and CS3O, each indicative of the amplitude of a respective phase current, wherein the analog signals CS1O, CS2O and CS3O are provided to respective pins of the driver circuit 22a. In various embodiments, the number of output signals (CS1O, CS2O and CS3O) corresponds thus to the number of phases of the motor to be driven. Moreover, when using analog output signals, the number of digital-to-analog converters 216 (and respective driver circuits 218) corresponds to the number of output signals.

[0059] As mentioned before, the measurement of the phase currents should be synchronized with the PWM signals IN₁..IN₆. For example, for this purpose the processing circuit 208 may comprise a synchronization circuit 220 configured to generate one or more control signals signaling to the digital processing circuit 214 that one or more of the signals provided by the A/D converter(s) 212 should be sampled. Accordingly, essentially, the processing circuit 208 implements a sample and hold circuit for the phase currents, which are sampled in response to the control signal(s) provided by the synchronization circuit 220.

[0060] Generally, in order to synchronously measure (and possibly calculate) each motor phase current, the sampling of the processing circuit 208 should be synchronized with the switching period T_PWM (see also Figure 4) of the respective PWM signals, i.e.:

• the measurement of the phase current CS1O should be synchronized with the switching period of the control signal IN₁ (corresponding to the switching period of the control signal IN₂);
• the measurement of the phase current CS2O should be synchronized with the switching period of the control signal IN₃ (corresponding to the switching period of the control signal IN₄); and
• the measurement/calculation of the phase current CS3O should be synchronized with the switching period of the control signal IN₅ (corresponding to the switching period of the control signal IN₆).

[0061] In various embodiments, the duration of these three switching periods are the same, but the switching periods may be phase shifted. In various embodiments, in order to detect each switching period, the synchronization circuit 220 is thus configured to determine the starting time of each PWM period.

[0062] Generally, various schemes of PWM signals exist (see also Figure 4). In case of edge-aligned PWM strategy (or asymmetric PWM), the starting time of each PWM period coincides with the rising edge (left-aligned PWM, i.e. T_OFF1 = 0) or with the falling edge (right-aligned PWM, i.e. T_OFF2 = 0) of each PWM signal. Conversely, in the center-aligned PWM strategy (symmetric PWM), the PWM pulse P is in the center of the switching period, i.e. T_OFF1 = T_OFF2. For example, symmetric PWM is often used in high-end automotive application, because it has been shown that symmetric PWM signals generate fewer harmonics in the output currents and voltages.

[0063] Thus, when using a signal generator circuit 30 configured to generate center-aligned PWM signals (symmetric PWM), the synchronization circuit 220 cannot directly detect the starting time of the PWM periods from the PWM signals. For example, for this purpose, the signal generator 30 may provide a synchronization signal to the synchronization circuit 220. For example, the synchronization signal, which corresponds to a seventh signal in addition to the six PWM signals IN₁..IN₆, may be a PWM signal with 50% duty cycle, thereby indicating both the start and the center of the PWM period. However, this solution has several drawbacks. For example, additional pins and wiring is required to transfer the synchronization signal to the driver circuit 22a, and typical PWM signal generator ICs 30 are often based on dedicated hardware components which do not provide such a synchronization signal. Moreover, even knowing the starting instant and duration of one of the PWM periods, still the PWM periods of the other (phase shifted) PWM signals would have to be determined.

[0064] Accordingly, in various embodiment, the synchronization circuit 220 is configured to determine the starting time of each PWM period from the center-aligned PWM signals.

[0065] Figure 9 shows an embodiment of the block of/the steps performed by the synchronization circuit 220.

[0066] In the embodiment considered, the synchronization circuit 220 implements an auto-trigger module configured to generate three trigger signals T1, T2 and T3, which are provided to the digital processing module 214, wherein each trigger signal T1, T2 and T3 triggers the acquisition of a respective measurement current CS1O, CS2O or CS3O.

[0067] For example, Figure 9 shows that the digital processing circuit 214 may comprise three hardware or software modules, wherein:

• the first module CMON1 is configured to determine the measurement signal CS1O by sampling the signal CS₁ in response to the first trigger signal T1,
• the second module CMON2 is configured to determine the measurement signal CS2O by sampling the signal CS₁ in response to the second trigger signal T2, and
• the third module CMON3 is configured to either determine the measurement signal CS3O by sampling the signal CS₃ (when using a third current sensor), or by sampling the signals CS₁ and CS₂ (and computing the signal CS3O) in response to the third trigger signal T3.

[0068] Thus, when using three current sensors RS/three pairs of terminal CSnP/CSnN, a single analog-to-digital converter 212 may be used to measure one of the signals CS₁, CS₂ and CS₃ in response to the trigger signals T1, T2 and T3. Conversely, when using two current sensors RS₁ and RS₂, preferably two analog-to-digital converters 212 are used in order to sample contemporaneously the signals CS₁ and CS₁ in response to the third trigger signal T3. In various embodiments, the number of differential amplifiers 206 corresponds either:

• to the number of current sensors RS and, in case the number of analog-to-digital converter 212 is smaller than the number of differential amplifiers 206, at least one of the analog-to-digital converter 212 may be connected selectively to a plurality of current sensors RS); or
• to the number of analog-to-digital converter 212 and, in case the number of differential amplifiers 206 is smaller than the number of current sensors RS, at least one of the differential amplifiers 206 may be connected selectively to a plurality of current sensors RS.

[0069] Generally, the number of modules CMON1..CMON3 corresponds to the number of output signals CSnO, wherein each module is activated in response to a respective trigger signal T1..T3.

[0070] Generally, again assuming the driving of a three-phase motor, the synchronization circuit 220 may:

• generate the trigger signal T1 as a function of the control signal IN₁ or alternatively the control signal IN₂, which has the inverted switching period;
• generate the trigger signal T2 as a function of the control signal IN₃ or alternatively the control signal IN₄, which has the inverted switching period; and
• generate the trigger signal T3 as a function of the control signal IN₅ or alternatively the control signal IN₆, which has the inverted switching period.

[0071] For example, in various embodiments, the control signals IN₁, IN₃ and IN₅ for the high side switches are used.

[0072] Specifically, Figure 9 shows the blocks of the synchronization circuit 220 configured to generate a single control signal T for one motor phase by monitoring a respective control signal IN (e.g. the control signal for the high side switch), and the same blocks may be repeated also for the other motor phases.

[0073] In the embodiment considered, the control signal IN is provided to an edge detector 222. Specifically, in the embodiment considered, the edge detector 222 is configured to:

• detect a rising edge of the control signal IN and generate a first signal S in response to a detected rising edge; and
• detect a falling edge of the control signal IN and generate a second signal E in response to a detected falling edge.

[0074] For example, the edge detector 222 may be implemented with an asynchronous circuit or a synchronous circuit operating in response to a clock signal CLK. For example, in order to detect an edge, a synchronous edge detector 222 may monitor the value of the signal IN during two (or more) consecutive clock cycles of the clock signal CLK. For example, in this case, once having detected the respective edge, the signals S and E may be set to a given logic value for one or more clock cycles. Thus, in various embodiments, the signals S and E may correspond to trigger signals.

[0075] For example, Figure 10a shows a PWM signal IN, and Figure 10b and 10c show corresponding signals S and E.

[0076] In the embodiment considered, the signal S is provided to a digital counter 224. Specifically, the counter 224 is configured to determine a count value CNT1 by increasing the count value CNT1 in response to the clock signal CLK.

[0077] In the embodiment considered, the signal E is provided to a sample circuit 226, which is configured to provide at output a signal C1 by storing the count value CNT1 of the counter 224 in response to the signal E, i.e. the sample circuit 226 stores the count value CNT1 at the falling edge of the signal IN. For example, this is schematically shown in Figure 10d, where the sample circuit 226 stores a value C1 corresponding to the count value CNT1 when the signal E is set.

[0078] Accordingly, in the embodiment considered, the sample circuit 226 provides a signal C1 indicative of the switch-on duration T_ON of the signal IN.

[0079] In various embodiments (see also Figure 10d), the digital counter 224 resets the count value CNT1 in response to the signal S, i.e. the count value CNT1 is reset at the rising edge of the signal IN. In this case, the counter 224 may provide at output also a value C2 corresponding to the last value of the count value CNT1 before the value has been reset, i.e. to the maximum value of the counter 224.

[0080] Generally, in case of a fixed switching duration T_PWM with a fixed duty cycle D for the signal IN, also value/signal C2 will be fixed and the signal C2 is equal to a value CPWM indicative of the fixed switching duration T_PWM, i.e. the value CPWM corresponds to the number of clock cycles which have the duration T_PWM. Accordingly, in this case, the counter 224 provides (in addition to the counter value CNT1) a signal C2 indicative of the switching period T_PWM of the signal IN.

[0081] On the other hand, in case of a fixed switching duration T_PWM with a variable duty cycle D for the signal IN, the value C2 provided by the counter 224 will not be constant. Specifically, considering two consecutive PWM cycles, the value C2 will be:

where COFF2 and COFF1 are count values being proportional to the switch-off durations T_OFF1 and T_OFF2, respectively, where C2_N-1, C1_N-1 and COFF2_N-1 are referred to the N-1^th PWM period and COFF1_N is referred to the N^th PWM period. Moreover, usually COFF1_N-1 = COFF2_N-1 and COFF1_N = COFF2_N.

[0082] In various embodiments, the signals/values C1 and C2 are provided to a digital processing circuit 228. Specifically, the circuit 228 is configured to compute, e.g. in response to an update of the signal C1, the value CPWM according to the following equation:

[0083] Generally, the multiplication/division by two may be implemented rather easily with shift left and shift right operations. Moreover, the 1^st result of equation (5) should be discarded, i.e. the computation of the signal/value CPWM starts continuously after the 2^nd update of the signal/value C1. Generally, the (missing) first values may also be set, e.g. via the interface 210, before starting the PWM signal.

[0084] Generally, in case of a fixed switching duration T_PWM the value/signal CPWM may also be set, e.g. via the interface 210 (see also Figure 9).

[0085] Finally, in case of variable switching duration T_PWM with a variable duty cycle D for the signal IN, the value C2 will be again:

where C2_N-1, C1_N-1 and COFF2_N-1 are again referred to the N-1^th PWM period and COFF1_N is referred to the N^th PWM period. Moreover, usually COFF1_N-1 = COFF2_N-1 and COFF1_N = COFF2_N.

[0086] In the embodiment considered, the signals/values C1 and C2 are provided to the digital processing circuit 228, which compared to equation (5) has to compensate, however, also the variable duration of the previous cycle. Specifically, in various embodiments, the circuit 228 is configured to compute, e.g. in response to an update of the signal C1, the following equation:

[0087] Again, the 1^st result should be discarded, i.e. the computation of the signal/value CPWM starts continuously after the 2^nd update of the signal/value C1. The 1^st value of CPWM, i.e. CPWM₀, can be a fixed known value or may also be set, e.g. via the interface 210, before starting the PWM signal. Generally, this value may also be set for each PWM period, e.g. via the interface 210.

[0088] In the embodiment considered, the digital processing circuit 228 then processes the signals/values C1 and CPWM. Specifically, the circuit 228 is configured to compute, e.g. in response to an update of the signal C1, the following equation:

[0089] Essentially, the term (CPWM - C1) is indicative of the switch-off duration T_OFF = T_OFF1 + T_OFF2 of the signal IN. Thus, due to the fact that T_OFF1 = T_OFF2, the term (CPWM - C1)/2 is indicative of the duration T_OFF1 (corresponding to the duration T_OFF2). For example, the division by 2 may be implemented with a shift right operation.

[0090] Accordingly, the signal/value C3 is indicative of the instant when the next PWM cycle starts with respect to start of the counter 224, i.e. the value C3 corresponds to the value of the counter 224 when the next PWM cycle starts.

[0091] In the embodiment considered, the count value CNT1 generated by the counter 224 and the value C3 computed by the processing circuit 228 are provided to a digital comparator circuit 230. Specifically, the comparator circuit is configured to set a signal ST when the counter value CNT1 corresponds to the value C3.

[0092] Accordingly, essentially, the signal ST corresponds to a trigger signal, which is set in the instant when a new PWM cycle starts.

[0093] In case the value CPWM is programmable separately, the digital count 224 may start counting in response to the signal S and digital count 224 may stop counting in response to the signal ST. In this case, the reset of the count value CNT1 may be performed in response to the signal S or preferably ST. For example, this behavior is shown in Figure 11, in particular Figure 11d. Generally, the digital counter 224 may thus start counting from a reset value (usually zero) in response to the signal S, and the counter 224 may be reset between the instant when the count value CNT1 reaches the value C3 (as shown in Figure 11d) and the instant when the signal S is set again (as shown in Figure 10d).

[0094] In the embodiment considered, the signal ST is provided to a further digital counter 232. Specifically, in various embodiments, the digital counter 232 is configured to start increasing a further count value CNT2 in response to the signal ST, i.e. the count value CNT2 starts to increase at the instant when a new PWM cycle starts.

[0095] In various embodiments, the count value CNT2 is provided to a further digital comparator 234. Specifically, in various embodiments, the comparator 234 is configured to generate a signal T when the counter value CNT2 corresponds to a reference value REF. In various embodiments, the reference value may be programmable, e.g. via the interface 210.

[0096] Figure 10f shows an embodiment, wherein the counter 232 is reset in response to the signal ST. Conversely, Figure 11f shows an embodiment, wherein the counter 232 is reset and disabled in response to the signal T. Generally, the digital counter 232 may start counting from a reset value (usually zero) in response to the signal ST, and the counter 232 may be reset between the instant when the count value CNT2 reaches the value REF (as shown in Figure 11f) and the instant when the signal ST is set again (as shown in Figure 10f).

[0097] Accordingly, the signal REF is indicative of the time between the start of the switching cycle and the instant when the respective trigger signal T1, T2 or T3 should be generated, thereby permitting to set the instant when the measurement should be performed with respect to the start of the PWM cycle.

[0098] In the embodiment considered, the signal T is provided to a control circuit 236, such as a logic circuit, which generates the trigger signals T1, T2 and T3. Specifically, the control circuit 236 may set the trigger signal T1, T2 and T3 associated with the respective signal IN, e.g. T1 for the signal IN₁, T2 for the signal IN₃, and T3 for the signal IN₅. Generally, the control circuit 236 is thus purely optional and the trigger signals T1, T2 and T3 may correspond to the respective signal T. Generally, the control circuit 236 may also perform other operations, such as stopping and resetting the counter 232.

[0099] In various embodiments, the control circuit 236 may be implemented with a microprocessor or a programmable logic circuit permitting that a user may set/program the operations to be performed in response to the signals T provided by the synchronization circuits 220. Specifically, in various embodiments, the circuit 208 is implemented with a microcontroller comprising a microprocessor and several hardware blocks, such as the A/D converter 212 and D/A converters 216. In this case, the counters 224, 232 and comparators 230, 234 may be implemented with hardware digital counter/timer circuits. Conversely, the control circuit 236 and/or the processing circuit 214 (and optionally the block 228 for the calculation of the value C3) may be implemented via software instructions executed by the microprocessor.

[0100] In various embodiments, instead of monitoring a high side control signal (e.g. IN₁, IN₃ and IN₅ for the example considered), each synchronization circuit 220 shown in Figure 9 may monitor a low side control signals (e.g. IN₂, IN₄ and IN₆ for the example considered).

[0101] For example, Figure 12a shows a high side control signal, e.g. signal IN₁, and Figure 12b shows a respective low side control signal, e.g. signal IN₂.

[0102] In this case, the edge detector 224 may be configured to receive an inverted low side control signal IN or the edge detector may generate the signal S in response to a falling edge and the signal E in response to a rising edge (see Figures 12c and 12d).

[0103] However, as shown in Figures 12a and 12b, often the low side control signal does not correspond to an inverted version of the high side control signal, but additional delays are introduced, i.e.:

• a delay T_ONDT between the instant when the low side control signal IN₂ goes to low and the instant when the high side control signal IN₁ goes to high; and
• a delay T_OFFDT between the instant when the high side control signal IN₁ goes to low and the instant when the low side control signal IN₂ goes to high.

[0104] In case, delays correspond, i.e. T_ONDT = T_OFFDT, equation also the inverted pulse of the low side control signal is center aligned and equation (8) is still valid. Otherwise, the circuit 228 may be configured to compensate these delays. For example, in various embodiments the circuit 228 is configured to compute, e.g. in response to an update of the signal C1, the following equation:

[0105] Specifically, the values C_ONDT and C_OFFDT correspond to the count values which correspond to the duration T_ONDT and T_OFFDT. For example, these values (or merely the pre-calculated different C_OFFDT - C_OFFDT) may be provided (possibly together with the value CPWM) to the circuit 228 via the communication interface 210. Alternative, the delays may be compensated by adjusting the value of the reference signal REF.

[0106] In various embodiments, the synchronization circuit 220 may be configured to support the generation of plural triggers for each control signal IN. For example, for this purpose, the comparator 234 may receive a plurality of reference values REF and generate a trigger in the signal T each time the count value CNT2 corresponds to one of the reference signals REF. Alternatively, the synchronization circuit 220 may comprise a plurality of comparators 234, each configured to generate a respective signal T by comparing the count value CNT2 with a respective reference signal REF. For example, when using the behavior of the counter 232 described with respect to Figure 11f, the last trigger/last trigger signal may be used to stop and possibly reset the counter 232.

[0107] For example, such multiple triggers/trigger signals may be useful in case only a single shunt resistor RS connected in the DC link is used, e.g. a shunt resistor RS connected between the signal Vdd and the high side switches (SW₁, SW₃, SW₅) or a shunt resistor RS connected between the low side switches (SW₂, SW₄, SW₆) and ground GND. Accordingly, each trigger may activate a respective current measurement module CMON1..CSMON3 which assigns to a respective signal CS1O..CS3O the current currently measured via the shunt resistor RS.

[0108] Similarly, even though using a plurality (N or N-1) of shunt resistors RS connected in series with the motor phases as described in the foregoing, a single synchronization circuit 220 configured to generate plural triggers/plural trigger signals may be sufficient, when the duration of the switching cycle for all PWM control signals IN₁..IN₆ is the same and the switching cycle are only phase shifted by a constant amount. For example, in this case each trigger may activate a respective current measurement module CMON1..CSMON3 which assigns to a respective signal CS1O..CS3O the respective current measured via the respective shunt resistor RS.

[0109] Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the details of construction and the embodiments may vary widely with respect to what has been described and illustrated herein purely by way of example, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the ensuing claims.

Claims

1. A half-bridge driver circuit (22a) comprising:

- two input terminals for receiving a high side control signal (IN₁) and a low side control signal (IN₂), wherein said high side control signal (IN₁) is a center aligned pulse-width-modulated signal having a given switching period (T_PWM) and a given switch-on duration (T_ON), and said low side control signal (IN₂) corresponds to an inverted version of said high side control signal (IN₁) with a first delay (T_ONDT) between a falling edge of said low side control signal (IN₂) and a following rising edge of said high side control signal (IN₁) and with a second delay (T_OFFDT) between a falling edge of said high side control signal (IN₁) and a following rising edge of said low side control signal (IN₂);

- two output terminals for providing a high side drive signal (DRV₁) for a high side switch (SW₁) and a low side drive signal (DRV₂) for a low side switch (SW₂);

- a high side driver circuit (200₁) configured to generate said high side drive signal (DRV₁) as a function of said high side control signal (IN₁), and a low side driver circuit (200₂) configured to generate said low side drive signal (DRV₂) as a function of said low side control signal (IN₂);

- two measurement terminals (CS1P, CS1N) configured to be connected to the terminals of a shunt resistor (RS₁); and

- an amplifier (206₁) configured to amplify the signal applied to said two measurement terminals (CS1P, CS1N), thereby generating a measurement signal (CS) indicative of the current flowing through said shunt resistor (RS₁);

wherein said half-bridge driver circuit (22a) comprises:

- an analog-to-digital converter (212);

- a processing circuit (214) configured to selectively acquire a digital sample of said measurement signal (CS) via said analog-to-digital converter (212) in response to a trigger signal (T1);

- a synchronization circuit (220) configured to generate said trigger signal (T1) by:

- determining via a first digital counter (224) a first value (C1) indicative of said switch-on duration (T_ON) of said high side control signal (IN₁) by monitoring the rising and falling edges either of said high side control signal (IN₁) or of said low side control signal (IN₁);

- determining a second value (CPWM) indicative of said switching period (T_PWM) of said high side control signal (IN₁);

- computing a third value (C3) indicative of the first count value (CNT1) of said first digital counter (224) when a next switching period of said high side control signal (IN₁) starts as a function of said first value (C1) and said second value (CPWM);

- comparing said third value (C3) with said first count value (CNT1) of said first digital counter (224), thereby generating a third signal (ST) when the next switching period of said high side control signal (IN₁) starts;

- starting a second digital counter (232) in response to said third signal (ST);

- comparing the count value (CNT2) of said second digital counter (232) with a reference value (REF), thereby generating a fourth signal (T); and

- generating said trigger signal (T1) as a function of said fourth signal (T).

2. The half-bridge driver circuit (22a) according to Claim 1, wherein:

- said synchronization circuit (220) comprises an edge detector (222) configured to generate a first signal (S) in response to a rising edge of said high side control signal (IN₁) and a second signal (E) in response to a falling edge of said high side control signal (IN₁);

- said first digital counter (224) is started in response to said first signal (S); and

- said first value (C1) is determined by sampling the count value of said first digital counter (224) in response to said second signal (E).

3. The half-bridge driver circuit (22a) according to Claim 1, wherein said third value (C3) is computed according to the following equation:

where C1 is said first value (C1), CPWM is said second value (C1) and C3 is said third value (C3).

4. The half-bridge driver circuit (22a) according to Claim 1, wherein:

- said synchronization circuit (220) comprises an edge detector (222) configured to generate a first signal (S) in response to a falling edge of said low side control signal (IN₁) and a second signal (E) in response to a rising edge of said low side control signal (IN₁);

- said first digital counter (224) is started in response to said first signal (S); and

- said first value (C1) is determined by sampling the count value of said first digital counter (224) in response to said second signal (E).

5. The half-bridge driver circuit (22a) according to Claim 4, wherein said third value (C3) is computed according to the following equation:

where C1 is said first value (C1), CPWM is said second value (C1), C3 is said third value (C3), and C_ONDT and C_OFFDT are indicative of said first delay (T_ONDT) and said second delay (T_OFFDT), respectively, wherein the value C_ONDT and C_OFFDT are preferably programmable via a communication interface (210) of said half-bridge driver circuit (22a).

6. The half-bridge driver circuit (22a) according any of the previous claims, wherein:

- said second value (CPWM) is programmable via a communication interface (210) of said half-bridge driver circuit (22a); or

- said second value (CPWM) is determined (228) as a function of a maximum count value (C2) provided by said first digital counter (224).

7. The half-bridge driver circuit (22a) according any of the previous claims, comprising further:

- four further input terminals for receiving two further high side control signals (IN₃, IN₅) and two further low side control signal (IN₄, IN₆), four further output terminals for providing two further high side drive signal (DRV₃, DRV₅) for two further high side switches (SW₃, SW₅) and two further low side drive signals (DRV₄, DRV₆) for two further low side switches (SW₄, SW₆), two further high side driver circuits (200₃, 200₅) configured to generate said two further high side drive signals (DRV₃, DRV₅) as a function of said two further high side control signal (IN₃, IN₅), respectively, and two further low side driver circuit (200₄, 200₆) configured to generate said two further low side drive signals (DRV₄, DRV₆) as a function of said two further low side control signal (IN₄, IN₆);

- at least two further measurement terminals (CS2P, CS2N) configured to be connected to the terminals of a further shunt resistor (RS₂);

wherein said processing circuit (214) is configured to selectively acquire a further digital sample indicative of the current flowing through said further shunt resistor (RS₂) in response to a further trigger signal (T2).

8. The half-bridge driver circuit (22a) according to Claim 7, wherein said synchronization circuit (220) is configured to:

- generate said further trigger signal (T2) by processing either one of said further high side control signals (IN₃, IN₅) or one of said further low side control signals (IN₄, IN₆); or

- generate said further trigger signal (T2) by comparing the count value (CNT2) of said second digital counter (232) with a further reference value (REF).

9. The half-bridge driver circuit (22a) according to any of the previous claims, comprising a digital-to-analog converter (216) and wherein said processing circuit (214) is configured to provide said digital sample of said measurement signal (CS) to said digital-to-analog converter (216).

10. An integrated circuit comprising the half-bridge driver circuit (22a) according to any of the previous claims.

11. A system comprising:

- a single phase (M₁, M₂) or multi-phase motor (M₃);

- one or more half-bridges, each comprising a high side switch and a low side switch, wherein the output of each half-bridge is connected to a respective phase of said single phase (M₁, M₂) or multi-phase motor (M₃);

- a half-bridge driver circuit (22a) according to any of the previous claims, wherein said half-bridge driver circuit (22a) is configured to generate high side drive signals and low side drive signals for said high side switches and a low side switches as a function of high side control signals and low side control signals, respectively; and

- a signal generator (30) configured to generate said high side control signals and said low side control signals.

Drawing